Paradise reclaimed – visit county Kilkenny’s new Biodiversity Community Garden
MEMBERS of the public are invited to attend the opening of the Biodiversity Community Garden in Thomastown.
The opening takes place on at the Upper Paddock in the south Kilkenny town this Saturday, June 8, at 11am.
The opening of the garden is a culmination of an almost decade-long project. It all started back in 2011 when the land, which was originally a paddock, was leased by Thomastown TidyTowns from the Kilkenny County Council for a 10-year period, at a cost of €10 per year.
The work began with the old gate being repaired and erected. A stairway was then constructed from the carpark to the gate and then continued to the Upper Paddock with a series of log risers. The entrance, with new planters, had to be rebuilt after a tree fell after a storm. Finally, the ‘Great Wall’ was rebuilt across the whole front facing the Quay carpark and the top garden fenced.
Mary Reynolds, Garden Activist and Reformed Landscape Designer was commissioned to a design a Biodiversity Community Garden for Thomastown.
Over the last few years, a small group of volunteers from a wide variety of groups including community employees, the 2 Hour Gang from Thomastown Community Network TidyTowns and the local Mens’ Shed, have implemented the garden design.
The project ispart of the ‘All Ireland Pollinator Plan’ www.pollinators.ie and the re-wilding of Ireland project called ‘We are the Ark’ www.wearetheark.org.
The project has been funded over the years by Amenity Grants from Kilkenny County Council and from fundraising work by the Community.
A spokesperson said of the event: “We are delighted to be able to open this very new biodiversity garden for you to enjoy the special atmosphere, the wild plants and creatures and the spectacular views of the River Nore valley.”
